ATK and NASA Conduct Successful Ground Test of Ares I Igniter

"MINNEAPOLIS, March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) successfully conducted the first test firing of the igniter that will be used on NASA's Ares I first stage. Today's test at ATK's Promontory, Utah facility generated a flame almost 200 feet in length. When ignited inside the world's largest solid rocket booster, this flame will trigger the liftoff of the rocket that will send future astronauts into orbit. Today's test prepares the way for the first ground test of the fully-developed Ares I first stage, a five-segment derivative of the Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor, scheduled for next fall.

The Ares I igniter is the same flight-proven design used on the Shuttle's Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). This igniter, however, takes advantage of upgraded materials to provide higher performance in the liner and insulation. The new liner thermal properties are equivalent to those of the shuttle, but its stress/strain capability is 100 percent greater. The new insulation is also 20 percent lighter than the insulation currently on the Space Shuttle fleet, providing valuable weight savings and higher performance. Initial data showed the igniter performed as expected."

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Volkswagen Creates Life-Size Pink New Beetle Convertible for Barbie(R) 50th Birthday

"HERNDON, Va., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. helped Mattel celebrate Barbie(R) doll's 50th Birthday by transforming a New Beetle convertible into the ultimate Barbie(R) dream car. The life-size pink Malibu Barbie(TM) New Beetle convertible made its debut at Barbie(R) doll's Malibu Dream House(R) exclusive birthday celebration. Customization artists ABD Racing Werks, Katzkin Leather and Interiors and FoamMolders fully transformed the iconic New Beetle convertible into the perfect Barbie(R) ride.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090310/DE81419)"

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Today's Tweets

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Today's Tweets

• 11:45 Liked "Former Seahawk Brian Bosworth Arrested on DUI Charges" ff.im/-1noTX #
• 11:45 Liked "Peter Tork, Former Member of The Monkees, Fighting Rare Cancer" ff.im/-1noTW #
• 11:45 Liked "A Tribute to Discontinued Cereals" ff.im/-1nkXR #
• 11:48 @cotntail I didn't know Paula was on Twiitter! Thanks for the heads-up! ^_^ #
• 11:48 Searched Twitter for #followfriday: tinyurl.com/94zu47 #
• 11:49 Liked "#FollowFriday: The Anatomy of a Twitter Trend (Please RT!) ping.fm/kKVuA" ff.im/-1nqjv #
• 11:50 RT @NASCAR: RIR to become prime location for NASCAR Day - Midlothian Exchange: tinyurl.com/be2g4j #
• 11:51 RT @Marvel: #followfriday, Marvel-style: @JoeQuesada, @BRIANMBENDIS, @TheRealCerilli, @TomBrevoort, @nick_lowe_ and @suterman #
• 11:52 RT @theinquisitr: "Mozilla May Change Firefox 3.1 to Firefox 3.5" - tinyurl.com/dzwm3a #
• 11:53 RT @NASA: Visit NASA Pathfinder at Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City today and tomorrow. www.nasa.gov/orion #
• 11:54 RT @retweetradar: Trends: followers, google and reminder are the top retweeted terms on www.retweetradar.com/ right now. #
• 11:56 RT @retweetradar: Trends: @guykawasaki, @socialmedia411 and @mashable are the top retweeted people on www.retweetradar.com/ right now #
• 11:56 RT @mmpow: How to replace levels in MMOs - tr.im/h5so #
• 11:57 RT @art_: The state of Illinois passes resolution to make Pluto a planet again, declares "Pluto Day". snipr.com/d963j #
• 11:59 RT @Marvel: WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #3 has sold out! Second printing on the way: marvel.com/news/comicstories.7145 #
• 12:04 RT @improvingtheweb: RT @backtype BackType Connect, BackTweets, and more covered on @techcrunch bit.ly/4jOQ8Q (thanks @robinwauters) #
• 13:09 Liked "Holly" ff.im/-1mjgp #
• 13:09 A very happy birthday! ^_^ re: ff.im/1mjgp #
• 13:20 Liked "Gnome Rodeo: Saddle Up for GMing Links" ff.im/-1nwBH #
• 13:20 Liked "Yet another PHB2 post (Better get used to it)" ff.im/-1nwCi #
• 13:23 Liked "Awesome Traps: Perpendicular Gravity Corridor" ff.im/-1nwO8 #
• 13:34 Liked "A Completely Unscientific (Yet Accurate) Look at Social Sites" ff.im/-1dvPw #
• 21:43 just finished reading Inferno (Star Wars: Legacy ... tinyurl.com/aqra5k #
• 21:50 Liked "Spaceship broken, need parts" ff.im/-1nYY2 #
• 01:18 Liked "Lijit adds some comment goodness to its search" ff.im/-1o61t #

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Star Trek Online assaults our allegiances with Klingon Raptor - Massively (via FriendFeed)

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Star Trek Online assaults our allegiances with Klingon Raptor - Massively 9 hours ago - Comment - Like Mohomed.Genieyclo.Gatsby and ChangeForge | Ken Stewart liked this "The Raptor class is packed with more weaponry than it ought to be allowed to have. In fact, it's got so much that the medical bays are in a very bad way. Let's put it this way: you don't want to break, burn or otherwise cut anything while serving on this ship. Although if the captain makes good use of the speed, cloaking and front-facing weapons of pure death, the lack of proper medical facilities probably won't matter too much. At least... we think." - Ron Bailey Two likes in 5 minutes? DANG! - Ron Bailey

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FriendFeed

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• Yet another PHB2 post (Better get used to it)
• Gnome Rodeo: Saddle Up for GMing Links
• Player's Handbook 2 Excerpts: Feats
• The Alliterates » Dungeonaday.com
• [EN Publishing] Announcing War of the Burning Sky 4E! - EN World D&D / RPG News

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Penny Arcade! - Step Three: Profit (via FriendFeed)

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Penny Arcade! - Step Three: Profit 11 hours ago - Comment - Like

Penny Arcade! - The Return Of Hattori Hanzo (via FriendFeed)

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Penny Arcade! - The Return Of Hattori Hanzo (via FriendFeed)

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Worldwide D&D Game Day (via FriendFeed)

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Worldwide D&D Game Day (via FriendFeed)

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Link for 03-02-09 [del.icio.us]

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• Alabama port authority pursues container transfer facility in Mobile
  "The $75 million facility, which will take three years to complete, will connect an existing marine terminal with up to five Class Is. The ICTF is the second phase of ASPA's Choctaw Point project, which also includes a marine container terminal that was completed in October 2008 and a logistics park."

Pass Go and Collect $20,580 at the 2009 MONOPOLY National Championship Tournament

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Pass Go and Collect $20,580 at the 2009 MONOPOLY National Championship Tournament:

"On April 15, 2009 -- better known in the United States as 'tax day' -- players will compete in the MONOPOLY National Championship at Washington, D.C.'s historic Union Station. The top player will earn the prestigious title of MONOPOLY U.S. National Champion, $20,580 (the equivalent of the 'bank' in the MONOPOLY game), and the honor of representing the country at the MONOPOLY World Championships in Las Vegas in October 2009."

"Fuel Up to Play" Kicks Off

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NFL and American Dairy Launch National Fitness & Nutrition Program:

"EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Dairy Association and Dairy Council (ADADC) and the NFL today launched a national nutrition and fitness initiative designed to reverse the rising rates of childhood obesity by putting kids in charge of their future health. Recognizing that schools are uniquely positioned to support healthy change in youth, the Fuel Up to Play program engages and encourages youth to get the foods and physical activity they need to excel -- and motivate their friends to do the same."

Nickelback Announce Summer Tour Dates

Cover of Dark Horse

Nickelback Announce Summer Tour Dates:

"LOS ANGELES, March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Multi-platinum rock powerhouse Nickelback have announced dates for their North American summer tour, in support of their latest album, Dark Horse, on the heels of their opening night sellout of Nashville's Sommet Center last week. The summer leg of the 2009 tour rolls through Live Nation outdoor amphitheaters beginning July 10 in Darien Lake, NY at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, with Hinder, Papa Roach and Saving Abel in support."

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Pepsi Refreshes Soft Drink Portfolio With Three Innovations

Pepsi Refreshes Soft Drink Portfolio With Three Innovations:

"PURCHASE, N.Y., March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As part of the company's 'Refresh Everything' campaign, Pepsi is reinvigorating its beverage lineup with the introduction of three new products. Pepsi Natural, Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback, all sweetened with natural sugar, will be hitting the beverage aisle this March and April."

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• Pepsi Natural (kottke.org)

NASA's Kepler Mission Set for Launch

NASA's Kepler Mission Set for Launch:

"CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., March 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA's Kepler mission to seek other Earth-like planets is undergoing final preparations for liftoff Friday, March 6, from Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The spacecraft launch aboard a Delta II rocket has two windows of opportunity Friday, from 10:49 to 10:52 p.m. and 11:13 to 11:16 p.m. EST."

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AT&T and MTV Networks Join Forces to 'Unlock the Vault' and Unleash Classic MTV Content Exclusively to Users

AT&T and MTV Networks Join Forces to 'Unlock the Vault' and Unleash Classic MTV Content Exclusively to Users:

"NEW YORK, March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T and MTV are launching a new interactive campaign - The AT&T Music Vault, built by MTV Networks' Digital Fusion team that brings together the power of the MTV Networks and the AT&T brand to connect with consumers like never before. The campaign enables music fans to unlock a virtual 'Vault,' (www.attvault.mtvmusic.com), granting them access to MTV Networks' video content that has been kept under lock and key for decades and has never before been released on the Internet - until now.

"Each day AT&T and MTV will unlock 15 new pieces of content from MTV, VH1 and CMT's music history. Fans can view tomorrow's content early by correctly playing an AT&T music trivia game which will also be populated around music content across MTV Networks' broad portfolio of sites (including MTV.com, VH1.com, CMT.com). The trivia is served in an innovative unit alongside the video player, so that consumers can play the game while they are watching their favorite video."

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Toys'R'Us Celebrates Barbie(R) Doll's 50th Anniversary

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Toys'R'Us Celebrates Barbie(R) Doll's 50th Anniversary:

"WAYNE, N.J., March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1959, a new fashion doll appeared on Toys'R'Us store shelves, creating a sensation and becoming an instant favorite among generations of little girls. Now, Toys'R'Us is rolling out the pink carpet to mark the 50th anniversary of everyone's favorite fashionista, Barbie(R) doll. Beginning this weekend, and continuing through the month of March, Toys'R'Us will provide fans with numerous ways to celebrate the pop culture princess that began the fashion doll business, including an in-store Barbie(TM) boutique and special parties in stores nationwide."

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Oprah Radio Launches on SIRIUS XM

Oprah Radio Launches on SIRIUS XM:

"Oprah Radio launched Wednesday, March 4, 2009 on XM channel 156 and is available on SIRIUS channel 195 as part of 'The Best of XM' package. Daily and weekly shows -- hosted by Gayle King, poet and bestselling author Dr. Maya Angelou, medical expert Dr. Mehmet Oz, fitness trainer Bob Greene, renowned sex therapist Dr. Laura Berman, financial expert Jean Chatzky, acclaimed psychologist Dr. Robin Smith, design expert Nate Berkus, organizational expert Peter Walsh, and news anchor-turned-inspirationalist Daryn Kagan -- explore how to nourish the body, mind and soul."

I'm famous!

I went to the Disqus blog post discussing how they're powering Mashable's "social media comments" functionality and guess what I saw in the screenshot?

SuperPoke! Pets — Fizzbin (via Facebook)

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SuperPoke! Pets — Fizzbin (via Facebook)

Facebook SuperPoke! Pets — Fizzbin 8 hours ago - Comment - Like

Mashable Gets a Social Media Makeover (via Backtype)

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Mashable Gets a Social Media Makeover (via Backtype)

Backtype Mashable Gets a Social Media Makeover 13 hours ago - Comment - Like "Yes, this a very nice redesign. Very clean." - Ron Bailey

FW: @Twitalyzer's analysis showed me several ways to improve my influence in Twitter. More at http://bit.ly/o9cnR (via Twitter)

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@Twitalyzer's analysis showed me several ways to improve my influence in Twitter. More at http://bit.ly/o9cnR (via Twitter)

Twitter "@Twitalyzer's analysis showed me several ways to improve my influence in Twitter. More at http://bit.ly/o9cnR" 12 hours ago - Comment - Like

FW: RT @NASA: Check out the adventures of Spider and Gumdrop http://tr.im/gQpc, otherwise known as Apollo 9, 40 years later... (via Twitter)

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RT @NASA: Check out the adventures of Spider and Gumdrop http://tr.im/gQpc, otherwise known as Apollo 9, 40 years later... (via Twitter)

Twitter "RT @NASA: Check out the adventures of Spider and Gumdrop http://tr.im/gQpc, otherwise known as Apollo 9, 40 years later..." 12 hours ago - Comment - Like

FW: RT @calvinandhobbes: "Sweet?" Calvin? Uncle Max gets a crude awakening. www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2009/02/28 (via Twitter)

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RT @calvinandhobbes: "Sweet?" Calvin? Uncle Max gets a crude awakening. www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2009/02/28 (via Twitter)

Twitter "RT @calvinandhobbes: "Sweet?" Calvin? Uncle Max gets a crude awakening. www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2009/02/28" Friday at 11:27 pm - Comment - Like

FW: RT @retweetradar: Trends: cebit, iphone and blog are the top retweeted terms on http://www.retweetradar.com/ right now. (via Twitter)

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RT @retweetradar: Trends: cebit, iphone and blog are the top retweeted terms on http://www.retweetradar.com/ right now. (via Twitter)

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Links for 02-27-09 [del.icio.us]

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Links for 2009-02-27 [del.icio.us]

• scans_daily: War Machine is the Edgiest Edgy Comic Ever
• scans_daily: Jail Break!
• scans_daily: Wanda's World Tour
• scans_daily: Who Are The Dark Avengers? (SPOILERS)
• scans_daily: New Avengers #49 Preview
• scans_daily: Love Hurts
  "Pizza?" "Yeah."
• scans_daily: Secret Warriors #1
• scans_daily: Transformers: All Hail Megatron #7
• scans_daily: Thor #600 Lettered Preview
• scans_daily: Supervillain Team-Up
• scans_daily: Star Wars: Empire 13
• scans_daily: Final Crisis: Annotated
• IGN: Skaar Declares War on Earth
• scans_daily: Oops
• » Chatty’s Preview: Master Dungeons H2, Curse of the Kingspire

Links for 02-26-09 [del.icio.us]

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• scans_daily: Iron Man vs Hulk
  "Some scans from Mighty Avengers #22, in which Iron Man takes care of business."
• scans_daily: The Amadeus Cho Back-Up from Incredible Hercules #126
  *Spoilers -- Sad End*
• scans_daily: Greek Heroes: Part I: Seven Hundred Against Thebes
• scans_daily: "What If the Hulk Landed on the Peaceful Planet that Reed Richards Promised?"
• Five Criteria Why You Should Follow Someone on Twitter | LucaFiligheddu.com
• How to Use Twitter Without Twitter Owning You - 5 Tips
• 10 Monsters I Use in Every D&D Campaign (And 5 I Don't)
• scans_daily: Nova #22
• scans_daily: Kingdom Come
• scans_daily: Thunderbolts #129

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• HubbleSite - NewsCenter - NASA Announces 2009 Astronomy and Astrophysics Fellows (02/25/2009) - Introduction
  "February 25, 2009: NASA has selected fellows in three areas of astronomy and astrophysics for its Einstein, Hubble, and Sagan Fellowships. The recipients of this year's postdoctoral fellowships will conduct independent research at institutions around the country."